By DPA
Ramallah : Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad submitted his resignation as the 30-day state of emergency period in the Palestinian territories came to a close, but President Mahmoud Abbas immediately asked him to form a new caretaker government.
Abbas last month dismissed the Hamas-led Palestinian government after the militant group took control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas’ Fatah party and appointed a largely technocratic government led by Fayyad.
But according to Palestinian law, Abbas can call for a state of emergency for only 30 days, after which the Palestinian parliament – still controlled by Hamas – must either extend it or reject it.
Abbas ended the state of emergency Friday, two days before the 30-day period was up, but asked Fayyad to form a new government because the Palestinian parliament has been unable to meet. Such a caretaker government may legally stay in power for five weeks.
The Palestinian parliament technically must still approve the new government, but Abbas may ask it to function indefinitely if lawmakers are still unable to meet in the next five weeks.
Internal fighting between Hamas and Abbas’ Fatah party, as well as Israel’s arrest of around 40 Hamas lawmakers, has paralysed the parliament for several months. Hamas has refused to recognise the Fayyad government.
Fayyad’s government meanwhile added three new ministers. Ali Khashan, who was appointed minister of justice, confirmed the new appointments and said the three ministers were sworn in Friday.
The two other ministers were Tahani Abu Dakka, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Ibrahim Brash, who became minister of culture.